Petrified Fish

The mini Beluga came with a bit gritty action, but after a breakdown and clean up, it is super smooth. I really like this one, a bit flashy for my usual carry, and would really like it with thumbstuds, although the fuller works fine for reverse flick.
 
Gary W. Graley said:
Picked this one up, this is still one of the nicest folders, albeit large, very well made. Lanyard of course is one that I put on it.

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

G2
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I have the non-fancy version of this knife. I got it as part of the release day sale a few years ago. Given the blade grind, it was like a big brother to the PF818 (top knife in first picture, above Kizer Latt Vind Mini). Both were designed by David Chen and represent some of his best work IMHO.

The thicker blade stock on the 838 with the grind angle makes it a favorite for shaving off certain kinds of plastic sprues or the obtrusive raised print on a particular pen body. 😜

Here is mine with a cup of coffee last fall.

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Chronovore said:
"Meh" is relative. They use good steel relative to the asking price. They have lots of models in Chinese D2 or K110 from Bohler, with many of the former being hard to beat around $30. They also use N690, 154CM, Sandvik steels, etc.; all at generally competitive prices.
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I havent run across one in 154cm, that would be pretty good. Chinese D2 could be anything though.
 
DMG said:
I havent run across one in 154cm, that would be pretty good. Chinese D2 could be anything though.
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There is a little to unpack there. First, there has been an unfortunate trend of unscrupulous companies stamping "D2" on anything from 3Cr13 to 8Cr13Mov. Eafengrow is probably the most well-known culprit in that game. Second, "Chinese D2" tends to be within the composition range of what we'd call "D2" in the west but from XRF testing, the vanadium content seems to vary a bit more. That, issues with mass-production heat treatment, and also possibly issues with factory grinding have contributed to variable performance among Chinese knives in "D2". On average, edge retention is always better than 8Cr13Mov but almost never matches what you'd get on more expensive American knives.

Both in my own experience and from reasonably controlled cut tests, Petrified Fish seems to do one of the better heat treatments on Chinese D2. Given that they tend to use it in the $30-40 range, I'm okay with that.

Coincidentally, this is probably what led both Petrified Fish and Bestech to importing Bohler K110. For companies that are already set up for D2, a cleaner or more consistent starting material makes as much sense as trying to dodge the stigma. Of course, it pushes the price tag for those knives closer to $50.

(Pictures deleted in great purge of 2024.)
 
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I've seen a petrified carp once ( sorry I have to)
Beached well, Laked, and bloated, resting in a permanent stink eye, will never forget
Good bye
 
Hi there folks!

I'm gonna buy PF Warrior but I'm quite afraid of rust and stains on the blade, not my style. This knife is in K110, so my ask is what's your experience of this steel, treated by PF particularly?
 
Skogsnatt said:
Hi there folks!

I'm gonna buy PF Warrior but I'm quite afraid of rust and stains on the blade, not my style. This knife is in K110, so my ask is what's your experience of this steel, treated by PF particularly?
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Hi there, I have used a few PF and Maxace "Chinese" K110. They are treated well and has decent corrosion resistant. As long as you don't put the blade away wet, you shouldn't have a problem.

Sometimes it will discolor slightly when cutting fruits, meats, etc but a quick clean/oil restores it.

Hope this helps
 
They might buy the steel from Bohler, but still have to heat treat it...which arguable is more important than the steel composition. Calling it K110 means they buy it from Bohler (correct me if I'm wrong guys).
 
Dergyll said:
They might buy the steel from Bohler, but still have to heat treat it...which arguable is more important than the steel composition. Calling it K110 means they buy it from Bohler (correct me if I'm wrong guys).
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Mr. Dergyll, would you be so kind to share a couple of pix of PF K110 blades which you've been using for some time, please?
 
Skogsnatt said:
do you mean they produce their own steel, not buying it from the licensed manufacturer which is Bohler?
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Dergyll said:
They might buy the steel from Bohler, but still have to heat treat it...which arguable is more important than the steel composition. Calling it K110 means they buy it from Bohler (correct me if I'm wrong guys).
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They specify K110 here because it is made by Bohler. In theory, the base steel will then be cleaner and more consistent than the Chinese-made "D2".

Petrified Fish mostly uses the Chinese-made D2 and among the budget knife producers over there, they do one the better heat treatments on it. So already being set up to process D2, starting with K110 could lead to improved performance. Whether it does or by how much, I couldn't tell you.

What I can say is that if you like the design, PF is generally pretty good for the money. Overall, I prefer them to QSP, CJRB, or some of the other companies working at this price level. The real competition comes from WE's Sencut line or Kizer's new Laconic line. If strictly comparing D2 knives by edge performance, Petrified Fish might be a little better than Sencut and their K110 should come out ahead. However, both Sencut and Kizer's Laconic line also use a lot of 9Cr18Mov. If you prefer a stainless steel, 9Cr18Mov is very stainless and offers decent edge retention.
 
Yeah, I am into aesthetics, and I haven't seen as cool ones from the brands you mentioned. That PF Warrior in green/black G10 is cool for me. I just don't want it go rust or even stain.
Thank you a lot
 
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